It’s been a while since I last wrote about my faith and yet here we are in such a sacred season.
With Ash Wednesday falling on the 18th of February this year, I had every intention of entering Lent with discipline – even planning to fast throughout. But life, as it often does, had other plans. A demanding work trip from the 16th to the 18th meant time away from home and as a single mum to twins (and a household of animals), nothing is ever as simple as packing a bag and heading off. It takes planning, energy and emotional bandwidth – all of which were already stretched thin. On top of that, we had only just said goodbye to our beloved fur baby after 19 years. The weight of that loss lingered heavily. It’s been a time of stress, heartbreak and deep emotion.
So if I’m honest, I stepped into Lent feeling unprepared. But perhaps, in a way, that honesty created space for something more meaningful. Rather than following Lent as a checklist of rules, I felt drawn to approach it more spiritually – more intentionally. Less about obligation and more about connection.
Instead of fasting in the traditional sense, I’ve been practising gratitude each day. I’ve made a conscious effort to acknowledge God first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I pray throughout the day as and when I feel called, not out of routine, but a genuine desire to connect.
I’ve been reflecting more and stepping back from challenging situations instead of reacting immediately. Choosing calm where I once might have chosen impulse.
I haven’t fasted from food, but I have given up coffee. I’ve become more mindful of what I eat, more intentional with my words, avoiding cursing and more selective about the company I keep and the conversations I engage in.
I’ve focused on being present as a mum, first and foremost. Showing up fully for my children. At work, I’ve found a different rhythm too: still committed, still productive, but without the pressure of overworking. More grounded, focused and less frantic.
Church is something I’ve struggled to attend recently. Not out of lack of faith, but simply life – priorities shifting, routines disrupted and everything feeling a little out of sync. I would love to attend for Easter, though realistically, existing commitments may make that difficult. And that’s something I’m learning to accept without guilt.
Because faith isn’t confined to a building. We will continue to pray. To keep God close in our everyday lives. And that’s the realisation I keep coming back to: Lent doesn’t have to be about rigid rules or perfect observance. And Easter isn’t about eggs, bunnies, or commercial traditions. For me, this season is about presence, reflection and gratitude.
This Easter, I’ll be spending time with my family, breathing in the country air, holding loved ones near and far in my heart and offering quiet prayers to our Father in heaven.
